Gurney gets himself off the mark
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from The Oval
Andrew McGlashan at The Oval
20-May-2014
Tillakaratne Dilshan was not a bad first international wicket for Harry Gurney • Getty Images
First wicket of the day
This was not, as announced over the PA before play, Harry Gurney's international debut but the match against Scotland, reduced to effectively a T20, was an understated way to begin. He also went wicketless in that match so when he beat Tillakaratne Dilshan's outside edge to trim his off stump, with his fourth ball in international T20s, it was his first England wicket and a decent scalp to begin with.
This was not, as announced over the PA before play, Harry Gurney's international debut but the match against Scotland, reduced to effectively a T20, was an understated way to begin. He also went wicketless in that match so when he beat Tillakaratne Dilshan's outside edge to trim his off stump, with his fourth ball in international T20s, it was his first England wicket and a decent scalp to begin with.
Drop of the day
It was by far a faultless fielding display from England. The most costly error came from Michael Carberry who shelled a simple catch offered by Thisara Perera who had 20 at the time. Slightly in Carberry's defence, Eoin Morgan did not make it easy for him by getting into his line of sight and there appeared a lack of calling. However the drop happened it came from fundamental mistakes.
It was by far a faultless fielding display from England. The most costly error came from Michael Carberry who shelled a simple catch offered by Thisara Perera who had 20 at the time. Slightly in Carberry's defence, Eoin Morgan did not make it easy for him by getting into his line of sight and there appeared a lack of calling. However the drop happened it came from fundamental mistakes.
Not-so-costly drop
Would Sri Lanka have a Carberry moment? Not quite. Ian Bell edged Lasith Malinga to slip only for Lahiru Thirimanne to drop a simple catch, but unlike the impact of Carberry's error Bell was out two balls later when he spooned a lofted drive into the off side.
Would Sri Lanka have a Carberry moment? Not quite. Ian Bell edged Lasith Malinga to slip only for Lahiru Thirimanne to drop a simple catch, but unlike the impact of Carberry's error Bell was out two balls later when he spooned a lofted drive into the off side.
Over of the day
Perera made the most of his life and, as so often is the case, it came against the bowler who had suffered the drop: Chris Jordan. Given the penultimate over the innings (death bowling is not something that has come easily to Jordan) he was dispatched for 22 and it was inches from being 24 as the final delivery fell marginally short of a six.
Perera made the most of his life and, as so often is the case, it came against the bowler who had suffered the drop: Chris Jordan. Given the penultimate over the innings (death bowling is not something that has come easily to Jordan) he was dispatched for 22 and it was inches from being 24 as the final delivery fell marginally short of a six.
Catch of the day
There was also some spectacular fielding on show. None more so than Suranga Lakmal's grab at long-off to remove Eoin Morgan, one of the England players who could have chased down the total. Lakmal, not someone you would class among the most athletic of pace bowlers around the world, made tremendous ground before stretching forward to scoop the catch inches from the ground.
There was also some spectacular fielding on show. None more so than Suranga Lakmal's grab at long-off to remove Eoin Morgan, one of the England players who could have chased down the total. Lakmal, not someone you would class among the most athletic of pace bowlers around the world, made tremendous ground before stretching forward to scoop the catch inches from the ground.
First ball of the day
The opening delivery of England's home season was delivered by Joe Root, who missed the World T20 due to a broken thumb but had previously been used regularly with the new ball, to Dilshan. It was not the most auspicious start as Root sent down a long hop which was pulled over short fine-leg to get Sri Lanka up and running.
The opening delivery of England's home season was delivered by Joe Root, who missed the World T20 due to a broken thumb but had previously been used regularly with the new ball, to Dilshan. It was not the most auspicious start as Root sent down a long hop which was pulled over short fine-leg to get Sri Lanka up and running.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo